In reply, he reached down to unfasten himself, releasing his rearing arousal.
“Truly,” he confirmed.
The knowledge that she had such power over her proper lord thrilled her. She’d always thought that her spectacles were unattractive—something to be worn only out of necessity. Although her practical side had prevailed over her vanity, she’d never felt confident wearing them. Now she tried giving her husband a coquettish look through her lenses.
“Would you care to make your fantasy come true?” she said daringly.
“I thought you would never ask.”
His eyes a tempestuous blue, he notched himself to her entrance. He drove inside, a powerful thrust that thumped her back against the shelves. Stretched and impossibly full, she felt delight radiate from his incursion.
“Devil and damn.” Pleasure slurred his words. “You feel like a velvet fist around my cock.”
“You feel so hard. So big.”
It was the truth, and she could tell he liked it.
“I’m big and hard for you. And I am about to screw you senseless.”
While James was undoubtedly a man of his word, even he couldn’t stop the knock on the door. She jolted at the interruption, and he groaned.
“Be quiet,” he commanded, if a trifle desperately. “They’ll go away.”
The door clicked open.
“Lady Manderly?” The butler’s inquiring voice carried into the stacks. “Begging your pardon for the interruption, but a message arrived for you.”
Panicked, Evie called out, “I am, um, just locating a book. I shall be right there.”
With a quiet oath, James pulled out. Hastily, she swept her skirts into place and took off her spectacles, stuffing them into her pocket.
“Stay here,” she whispered.
He looked down at his glistening erection, which jutted from his open trousers.
“I am hardly going anywhere in this state, am I?”
His frustration nearly made her giggle. Blowing him a kiss, she exited the bookcase. Brunswick stood by the door, his expression impassive.
“For you, my lady. The messenger conveyed that it was a matter of some urgency.”
With a nod of thanks, she took the letter from the salver. She recognized the sender immediately, and as the door closed behind the butler, she tore into the envelope.
“Who is it from?” James came up behind her. “Did the blackmailer send another demand?”
“No.” Her pulse raced as she scanned the lines. “The letter is from the Botanical Society, forwarded from Grove Hall.”
“Oh. What do they want?”
Astonished, she reread the letter before looking up.
“My work, it seems. They are inviting me to present my paper on Cheiranthus cheiri, variety vespertinus at the next society meeting.”
“Congratulations, my dear,” he said sincerely. “The honor is richly deserved.”
“There’s more. At the meeting, members will choose the most compelling presentation for publication in the society journal.”
“Your victory is all but assured. When is this meeting?”
